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Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Welcome to Strong Mind Mental Health, where compassionate care meets unwavering expertise. Founded by Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez, our mission is to provide exceptional mental health therapy services to the diverse communities of Florida, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

With a shared commitment to empowering individuals on their journey to wellness, our staff brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the field. As licensed therapists, they have honed their skills to create a nurturing space where every client’s unique story is valued and understood. In addition to virtual therapy services, select members of our team offer in-person therapy sessions in South Florida, providing flexible care options to meet your needs.
 

At Strong Mind Mental Health, we believe in the transformative power of therapy and are dedicated to guiding you toward a path of strength, resilience, and lasting well-being.

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Melisa DeMahy
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Co-Founder | Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor, and Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional
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10 Years of Experience

I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. My goal is to create a judgment-free environment where open communication and empathetic listening help clients feel safe, understood, and supported. I strive to empower each client with the tools they need to build a more fulfilling life. When working with children and adolescents, I place special importance on making therapy engaging, creative, and enjoyable so that both the child and their family experience positive growth.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, parenting challenges, aggression, career and life transitions, physical and emotional trauma, relationship concerns, and other emotional difficulties.

My therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Therapy. I am dedicated to providing a supportive, caring environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their challenges and discovering their strengths. I believe every person has the ability to become a healthier version of themselves, and I am honored to support that journey.

Specialties

  • ADHD

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Career Counseling

  • Codependency

  • Couples Counseling

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Divorce

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief

  • Infertility

  • Infidelity

  • Lesbian

  • LGBTQ+

  • Marital and Premarital Counseling

  • Mood Disorders

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self-Esteem

  • Transgender

  • Trauma

  • Weight Loss

  • Women's Issues

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Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
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Co-Founder | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Qualified Supervisor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (Level 1)

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10 Years of Experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma-informed, somatic-integrated therapy and couples counseling. I support individuals and couples who feel stuck in anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or painful relationship patterns.

My approach is rooted in the understanding that trauma affects both the mind and the body. By integrating somatic and attachment-focused therapy, I help clients regulate their nervous systems, process past experiences, and develop healthier emotional and relational patterns.

I am especially passionate about couples therapy and helping clients understand how individual trauma influences relationships, communication, and connection. My therapeutic style is collaborative, grounded, and compassionate, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety and lasting, meaningful change.

 

With over 10 years of clinical experience, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. As a Qualified Supervisor, I am committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel understood, empowered, and equipped to reconnect with themselves and the people who matter most.

Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Relationship Issues

  • Anger Management

  • Coping Skills

  • Family Conflict

  • LGBTQ+

  • Parenting

  • Peer Relationships

  • School Issues

  • Self-Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Stress

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Trauma and PTSD

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Coraliz Myrtil
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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10 Years of Experience

I work with adults navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, chronic illness, and major life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, creating a space where you can process difficult emotions without feeling rushed or pressured.

I draw from EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused care, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. For clients who desire it, faith and spirituality may also be incorporated into treatment.

My goal is to help you better understand your emotional patterns, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward greater stability, self-trust, and healing.

Specialties

  • Grief and Loss

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Aging and Life Transitions

  • Chronic and Terminal Illness

  • Attachment and Relationship Concerns

  • Burnout and Stress

  • Intergenerational Trauma

  • Self-Esteem and Identity

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Karla Paz
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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5 Years of Experience

I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my role is to guide you through life's challenges, whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, or major life transitions. My goal is to empower you with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen your well-being, resilience, and overall quality of life.

I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Psychoeducation. These modalities allow me to tailor treatment to your unique needs, whether we're building coping skills, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, or setting and achieving meaningful goals.

I value the importance of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Together, we'll explore your experiences, build upon your strengths, and create a path toward greater confidence, emotional wellness, and lasting personal growth.

Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Coping Skills

  • Anger Management

  • Bisexual

  • Body Positivity

  • Chronic Illness

  • Geriatric Seniors

  • LGBTQ+

  • Life Transitions

  • Peer Relationships

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self-Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Stress

  • Weight Loss

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Grecia Smith
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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2 Years of Experience

I work with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and other complex mental health concerns. As a veteran, I bring a deep understanding of resilience, identity shifts, and the challenges that can come with major transitions and high-stress experiences.

My previous work in a homeless shelter gave me experience supporting people facing serious mental health conditions, trauma, housing instability, domestic violence, and co-occurring concerns. This background helps me meet clients with compassion, flexibility, and respect for the full context of their lives.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and an integrative approach tailored to each client or couple. My goal is to help you recognize patterns, strengthen communication and coping skills, and build greater self-awareness, stability, and connection.

Specialties

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Couples and Relationship Concerns

  • Bipolar and Mood Disorders

  • Life Transitions and Adjustment

  • Domestic Violence

  • Dual Diagnosis

  • Grief and Loss

  • Self-Esteem

  • Coping and Communication Skills

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Elva Sanchez
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Trauma Professional

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9 Years of Experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping clients create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Born in Peru and raised in South Florida, I bring a unique multicultural perspective to my work. I blend evidence-based approaches with a compassionate, empowering style, helping clients identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and reclaim a sense of autonomy and self-worth.

My work focuses on fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and positive change while guiding clients toward greater independence and self-sufficiency. I have extensive experience working with children, teens, and families, including those navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and other childhood diagnoses. I also provide practical strategies and resources to help parents better support children experiencing behavioral challenges.

As a Trauma Professional, I specialize in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, hate crimes, and crisis situations by providing a safe, compassionate environment where healing can begin. I also work with couples and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, helping them strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and develop healthier relationship patterns.

Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Autism

  • Depression

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Coping Skills

  • Couples Counseling

  • Family Conflict

  • Parenting

  • Peer Relationships

  • Self-Esteem

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Andrea Muchmore
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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6 Years of Experience

Andrea Muchmore is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor licensed in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and eating disorders, including body-focused repetitive behaviors such as trichotillomania and excoriation disorder. She helps clients break free from rigid thought patterns, compulsive behaviors, and the cycle of shame that often accompanies these concerns.

Andrea uses evidence-based treatments including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support meaningful, sustainable change. Her approach is structured yet compassionate, focusing on helping clients build emotional flexibility, confidence, and a healthier relationship with themselves.

Andrea also works with anxiety, stress, addiction, and relationship concerns. She is committed to creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to take actionable steps toward recovery and long-term emotional well-being.

Specialties

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Chronic Conditions

  • Depression

  • Eating Disorders

  • End-of-Life Care

  • Family Issues

  • Grief

  • Identity Issues

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Panic Disorders

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Relationship Issues

  • Stress Management

  • Substance Use and Addiction

  • Trauma

  • Transgender Issues

  • Women's Issues

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Maylin Gonzalez
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor, and Infant Mental Health Endorsed (IMH-E®)

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8 Years of Experience

I'm Maylin Gonzalez, LMHC-QS, IMH-E®, a therapist specializing in women's mental health across life's many transitions. My work centers on the emotional and relational shifts that accompany pre- and postpartum experiences, changes in intimacy before and after children, evolving identity, and the realities of parenting.

I offer a calm, supportive space where you can slow down, make sense of what you're feeling, and reconnect with yourself—without judgment or pressure to "have it all figured out."

Therapy with me is collaborative and intentional, blending clinical insight with genuine compassion to help you move through change with greater clarity, steadiness, and self-trust. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are reflective, curious about their inner world, and open to growth. If you're seeking a consistent, grounding therapeutic relationship where you can explore patterns, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful, sustainable change, you don't have to do that work alone.

Specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, and Postpartum

  • Anger Management

  • Career Counseling

  • Coping Skills

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Family Conflict

  • Life Coaching

  • Life Transitions

  • Parenting

  • Peer Relationships

  • Postpartum

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self-Esteem

  • Stress

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Women's Issues

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Mark Wallman
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

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35+ Years of Experience

I work with children ages 8 and older, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I support clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use and recovery, relationship concerns, mood disorders, personality disorders, and major life transitions.

My style is warm, honest, and direct. I create a nonjudgmental space where you can feel accepted while also being encouraged to examine the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Together, we can identify barriers, strengthen coping skills, and work toward healthier relationships and a greater sense of purpose.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy, trauma-informed care, and 12-Step Facilitation, adapting treatment to your individual goals and experiences.

Specialties

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Substance Use and Recovery

  • Couples and Relationship Concerns

  • Mood and Personality Disorders

  • Life Transitions

  • LGBTQ+ Concerns

  • Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

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Charmaine Wolfe
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor

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12+ Years of Experience

I work with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, stress, and major life transitions. My experience includes outpatient therapy, community mental health, psychiatric hospitals, crisis services, and geriatric behavioral health.

My approach is compassionate, practical, and tailored to each client. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and trauma-informed care to help clients better understand their experiences, strengthen coping skills, and build resilience.

My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and supported as you work toward greater stability, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Specialties

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Grief and Loss

  • Older Adult Mental Health

  • Family and Relationship Concerns

  • Life Transitions

  • Stress and Coping Skills

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Empowering Your Mental Health Journey—One Step at a Time

Compassionate, personalized therapy designed to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

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